The macOS comes with the option to set a Dark Mode/Light Mode schedule wherein depending on the time that you choose, it will automatically switch between both these modes, thereby saving you considerable time and effort. In this regard, you could set custom Night Shift settings, and depending on the same, the dark mode will follow suit. Or so it used to be.
Automatic Dark/Light Mode Switching not working on macOS 14.4
As of now, numerous users have voiced their concern that the automatic dark and light mode is not switching on their Macs after installing the latest macOS 14.4 update. While the Night Shift still works, but the Dark and Light Mode doesn’t change at the allocated time, instead, they just change at their whims and fancies. To be more specific, before the 14.4 update, when the Night Shift was set to Custom then it used to change as scheduled and the dark mode used to change at the same time as the Night Shift.
However, that is no longer the case. Right after installing the 14.4 updates, while the Night Shift is still set to Custom and it changes as scheduled, the dark mode no longer changes along with the Night Shift. Instead, it now has made its random schedule and tends to get enabled and/or disabled randomly. All this is resulting in a great deal of inconvenience and understandably so.
Moreover, the Cupertino giant has recently rolled out an incremental 14.4.1 update and there were high hopes that it would address this issue, unfortunately, that isn’t the case and the problem is still bugging the Mac users. So users have now submitted the feedback [number FB13683001] via the Feedback Assistant and have made Apple aware of this bug.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you do the same [use the same feedback number] as the more the number of reports, the faster the chance of it being addressed by the tech giant. As and when that happens, we will update this post accordingly. So make sure to keep a tab on this post at regular intervals.
How to Fix Dark Mode Issues on macOS 14.4
While there’s no official fix that would help you rectify this issue, you could take the help of an unofficial tweak and it involves downgrading the macOS to an older version or reinstalling it from scratch. This fix is definitely asking for way too much of an effort, especially when the problem at hand is of a minuscule nature. However, if this issue is way too much for you to deal with and you are ready to carry out this fix, then let’s get started.
The below fixes will wipe off all the data from your Mac. So please take a complete PC backup beforehand. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.
FIX 1: Via Time Machine Backup
If you have made a Time Machine backup before updating your Mac to version 14.4, then you could simply restore that backup and be free from that issue. Here’s how it could be done:
- First and foremost, you’ll have to boot your Mac to Recovery Mode. Depending on whether you have an Intel-based Mac or an M based, the steps might vary, as explained below:
- On an Intel Mac start it up while holding down the Command + R shortcut keys. Then keep holding the keys until you see the Apple logo.
- On a M-series Mac, press and hold the Power Key. Keep holding both keys until you get the message that informs you to stop holding the keys.
- When the Utilities window appears, select Restore from Time Machine Backup and click Continue > Continue.
- Now choose a Time Machine backup that was made before the macOS 14.4 update and hit Continue.
- The restoration will now begin and could take a while. Once done, your Mac will boot to the downgraded OS.
FIX 2:Reinstall macOS
This method will reinstall the version of macOS that came with your Mac out of the box. Here’s how it could be done:
- On a Mac with Apple silicon: Choose Apple menu > Shut Down, press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears, select Options, click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions.
- On an Intel-based Mac: Choose Apple menu > Restart, then immediately press and hold one of these key combinations, depending on what you want to do:
- Install the latest version of macOS compatible with your computer: Option-Command-R.
- Reinstall your computer’s original version of macOS (including available updates): Option-Shift-Command-R.
- Reinstall your current version of macOS: Command-R.
- In the Recovery app window, select Reinstall for your macOS release, then click Continue.
- Follow the onscreen instructions and select your current macOS volume to install the OS.
- The installation will take up some time. Once done, it will boot to the OS and the issue will be rectified.
That’s it. These were the two different tweaks that should help you fix the issue of automatic Dark/Light Mode switching not working on macOS 14.4. What are your views on this tweak? Are you willing to opt for these extreme approaches just for the ake of fixing an issue related to dark mode? Do share your valuable opinions with us in the comments section below.
